Overseas trained doctors or foreign graduates of an accredited medical school must work in a priority area for at least 10 years to provide services covered by Medicare rebates. This is called the ’10-year moratorium’. But the good news is that you can reduce that time through scaling.
From the time of the first date of your medical registration in Australia, all overseas trained doctors and foreign graduates of an accredited medical school must work for at least 10 years in a
- Distribution Priority Area (DPA) if you’re a general practitioner (GP)
If you work in Perth, Melbourne or Brisbane, you will need to work there in a DPA location for 10 years, gain Australian PR and hold specialist registration before you will expire your moratorium.
There is also the 5-Year International Medical Graduate (IMG) Recruitment Scheme (formerly known as the 5 Year Overseas Trained Doctor Recruitment Scheme) offers a unique opportunity for overseas-trained doctors to gain valuable general practice experience in rural and remote communities across Australia. By participating, you can reduce your 10 Year Moratorium to as little as three years, making a meaningful impact in areas that need your expertise most.
There are also various types of 19AB exemptions that allow you to work in a non DPA location including:
- Exemption to work in priority areas: You may be granted a Medicare provider number if you work in a DPA for your medical specialty, are taking part in an approved workforce or training program, or work after regular working hours in any location.
- Six-month locum exemption: If you take up a locum GP job, you can access Medicare benefits anywhere for a maximum of six (6) months while arranging for work in a DPA location. This type of exemption cannot be repeated or extended.
- Replacement exemption: If you take the position of a physician who previously held an unrestricted 19AB exemption and who is no longer practising in the local community, this exemption gives you access to Medicare benefits in any location.
- Spousal exemption: If your spouse works as a doctor or skilled immigrant, you might be eligible for a 19AB Spousal exemption.
- Prior employment negotiations: If you started negotiating your employment with the practice when it was within a DPA for your speciality, this exception gives you access to Medicare benefits in any location.
- After-hours exemption: If you work outside regular business hours, this exemption allows you to receive Medicare benefits wherever you are located.
- Discretionary exemption: If you are the primary caregiver for a close relative with a grave or critical medical condition that can’t be attended to properly in a DPA location, you’re eligible for access to Medicare services anywhere. Also, specific exceptional circumstances (e.g., disaster or crisis-related reasons) may qualify you for this exemption.
- Academic exemption: You may request an academic exemption if you satisfy all the requirements have an academic appointment with a medical school in Australia, and your academic appointment entails providing clinical services.
Got more questions about the 10-year moratorium contact us for more information.
